Fujianese Culture

Wind Lion God at Yangzhai

Traditional Fujian Residence

Kinmen's traditional residences are characterized by"swallow tail" or horseback shapes ridges. Usually categorized into 1 wings, 2 wing, 3 wings, as well as "hu-long," "jutting," and "facing"in terms of building styles.

Wind Lion God

Long-term pirates, political chaos, and civil wars have consumed most of the island's forest resources. In the autumn and winter, strong northeast monsoon wind lead to ruined agricultural fields and residences, making the island almost uninhabitable. People call on the Wind Lion God to protect them from the evil spirits. Different styles of the deity are seen all over the island, and the inhabitants considered it the "guardian of Kinmen folks."

Temple Events

Kinmen residents are fond of calling their temples "palace" or "palace temple." Most of the island's residents believe in Buddhism, or a combination of Confucianism, and Taoism. These temples have regular activities for celebrations and worship; the largest of these events are the "Meeting the city god," celebrated every April 21 on the lunar calendar, as well as the birthday of the goddess Matzu on March 23, also on the lunar calendar.

Kinmen residents call ancestral temples" clan shrine"or"ancestral hall,"where the ancestors are worshipped. Each traditional village in Kinmen has more than one ancestral temple.

Architectural Relics

Many architectural relics can be seen all over Kinmen Island. Some of them are ancestral shrines or temples, while others are private residences, mausoleums, pillars honoring filial piety and devotion. Currently, there are thirty-three such relics under national preservation; the majority of them are located in Taipei City and Tainan City.